n
politeness, "It grieves me to disturb you, but I have a warrant for your
arrest."

He was fumbling in his doublet as he spoke, and during the time I had
leisure to scan his countenance, recognising, to my surprise, a young
lieutenant of the guards who had but recently served with me, and with
whom I had been on terms almost of friendship. His words, "I have a
warrant for your arrest," came like a bolt from the blue to enlighten
me, and to remind me of what St. Auban had that morning told me, and
which for the nonce I had all but forgotten.

Upon hearing those same words, Yvonne, methought, grew pale, and her
eyes were bent upon me with a look of surprise and pity.

"Upon what charge am I arrested?" I enquired, with forced composure.

"My warrant mentions none, M. de Luynes. It is here." And he thrust
before me a paper, whose purport I could have read in its shape and
seals. Idly my eye ran along the words:

"By these presents I charge and empower my lieutenant, Jean de
Montresor, to seize where'er he may be found, hold, and conduct to Paris
the Sieur Gaston de Luynes--"

And so further, until the Cardinal's signature ended the legal verbiage.

"In the King's name, M. de Luynes," said Montresor, firmly yet
deferentially, "your sword!"

It would have been madness to do aught but comply with his request, and
so I surrendered my rapier, which he in his turn delivered to one of his
followers. Next I stepped down from the coach and turned to take leave
of Mademoiselle, whereupon Montresor, thinking that peradventure
matters were as they appeared to be between us, and, being a man of fine
feelings, signed to his men to fall back, whilst he himself withdrew a
few paces.

"Adieu, Mademoiselle!" I said simply. "I shall carry with me for
consolation the memory that I have been of service to you, and I shall
ever--during the little time that may be left me--be grateful to Heaven
for the opportunity that it has afforded me of causing you--perchance
without sufficient reason--to think better of me. Adieu, Mademoiselle!
God guard you!"

It was too dark to see her face, but my heart bounded with joy to catch
in her voice a quaver that argued, methought, regret for me.

"What does it mean, M. de Luynes? Why are they taking you?"

"Because I have displeased my Lord Cardinal, albeit, Mademoiselle, I
swear to you that I have no cause for shame at the reasons for which I
am being arrested."

"My father is Monseigneur de M